STATEN ISLAND, N.Y. — Just because you're making something more affordable, doesn't mean you are going on the cheap.

Case and point: For the 35th anniversary edition of the Richmond County Fair Aug. 30-Sept. 1, Historic Richmond Town actually is giving us more for less.

"All year long we think of new ways to make the county fair even more exciting," says Ed Wiseman, executive director of Historic Richmond Town. "In 2014 we premiere the 300-foot Monster Zip Line, the Big Rock Wall, the Craft Beer Garden, Quiet Clubbing, the Doghouse Auction and Barkitecture Competition and our new MTA exhibit celebrating the 50th anniversary of the Verrazano-Narrows Bridge."

Online discount tickets — a savings of 25 percent until 3 p.m. Thursday, Aug. 28 — will deliver prices not seen since 2005. Individual tickets are $12 ($16 at the door); seniors 65 and older, $10 ($11 at the door); kids 30-inches and shorter free. Plus, a family of four with children can snap up a "Family Four Pack" for 40 bucks.

"Staten Island is all about families and friends, and the Fair is the biggest family event on the Island," says Jerry Amerosi, RCF co-chair lead sponsor via Gerald Peters Goldmine Jewelers. "Moms, dads and grandparents can bring the whole family out for over seven hours of fresh air fun for less than the cost of most movie tickets."

Each year, the Richmond County Fair attracts about 20,000 visitors from Staten Island and beyond to the living history village at 441 Clarke Ave. The following is a full schedule of events (visit HistoricRichmondTown.org to check for updates) coming up Aug. 30-Sept. 1:

The Joey Chestnut Challenge: RCF committee is also putting out a challenge to the Brooklyn hot dog eating champion — and any other newcomers — to unseat the reigning RCF champion: Bill LaCurtis. Bill has held the Hot Dog Crown for the past seven years and welcomes any and all challengers.

"The Richmond County Fair contest is a timed event, not a free-for-all, all-you-can-eat buffet," says LaCurtis says, before spilling some trade secrets. "You need discipline, focus and determination. It's all about pace. You have to keep it steady. I usually reduce the competition to crumbs."

Note: The Hot Dog Eating and Pie Eating Contest occur all three days. Challengers can sign up on the day of the event at the Pandora Performance Stage.